Morningstar Ascendant

by Nicholas Galante

At the dawn of time, the archangel Lucifer was cast out of Heaven for daring to defy his creator. Beaten but undaunted, Lucifer vowed revenge against God. For centuries, the Devil and his cohorts were content with small victories, and their valorous march on the pearly gates was nothing but a distant memory of bygone glory. However, the reappearance of an old foe changes everything, and reveals to Lucifer that there may be untapped powers at Hell's disposal, ancient powers that date back to the churning dark that reigned before the Genesis.

Lucifer is ready to wager everything he has in a second war against Heaven, but this time, he has stacked the deck in his favor. This time, it will be God that falls.

Genres: Fantasy

366 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2016

About the author

Nicholas Galante was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The son of two English teachers, he started writing stories for his friends when he was eleven years old. He earned his B.A. in Literature and English with distinction from Juniata College, and his M. Phil. in Popular Literature from Trinity College, Dublin. His first novel, Morningstar Ascendant, was published by Black Rose Writing in August of 2016, and he has written several academic articles on comics studies.

Reviews

[Nolite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on the whole genre of Lucifer fiction. I enjoy reading (and watching) stories about Lucifer as a fully fleshed out character, as well as how he might interact with the modern world. The plot of this book was unique and I liked how revelations were tied into it. Classical mythology (Christian and otherwise) was woven seamlessly into the novel. I loved Lilith's role in the book, since she is a character I have always been intrigued by and she tends to be left out. I would have liked to have seen the characters more well rounded, since it felt like they were a bit empty. But overall, this was an enjoyable, well written read.

[Mario Galante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story that joins a classic work with modern fantasy fiction

Morningstar Ascendant is an fantasy that makes the struggle between the forces of good and evil transcend time and place. The classical forces of both heaven and hell are humanized in a creative and intriguing plot with surprising twists and turns.
As a new author,Nicholas, shows a talent for both creativity and character development. A must read for fantasy lovers and students of Paradise Lost.

[Andy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a great way for Nick to kick off his career. The influence of religious literature and his experience abroad shines through the story. Reading The Divine Comedy and Paradise Lost beforehand will help the reader understand the events better. The characters were interesting and brought the story alive. The book was entertaining even if you lost your faith. I recommend reading it!